Routine dental care can help keep your cat's teeth clean and healthy. Even so, sometimes issues may result in the need for tooth removal to protect their oral health. Here, our Louisiana vets discuss cat tooth extractions and what to expect after their dental surgery.
Cat Dental Surgery
Your cat's oral health is important to their overall health and well-being. Your cat uses their mouth, teeth, and gums to eat and vocalize, so when their oral structures are diseased or damaged, and stop functioning properly, they will experience pain, which will interfere with their ability to eat and communicate normally.
Also, the bacteria and infections that cause many oral health issues in cats won't remain in their mouth. Left untreated, the infection and bacteria from your cat's mouth may begin to circulate throughout their body, damaging organs such as their kidneys, liver, and heart, leading to more serious impacts on your feline friend's overall health and longevity. Routine dental exams can help monitor your cat's overall oral health and note signs of dental conditions before they become too serious. These dental exams for your cat are much like when you visit your dentist.
A comprehensive dental exam consists of:
- Probing the teeth and gumline to measure the depth of the pockets
- Taking X-rays of the teeth, soft tissue, and bone to help visualize tooth roots and dental ligaments
- Extracting (removing) any diseased teeth
- Scaling and polishing (cleaning) the teeth
- Assessing oral tumors and abnormalities
Sometimes, your vet may discover a serious issue affecting a tooth, resulting in your cat needing dental surgery. This procedure is known as a tooth extraction. Your vet will note the signs and complete their examination to determine if removal is the right course of action. After that, they will likely perform additional diagnostics to confirm their findings.
Once confirmed, they will share the information and treatment plan with you before scheduling (or performing, if time permits) the dental surgery. Your vet will also perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork before the surgery to ensure that your cat is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.
Signs of Complications After Tooth Extraction Surgery
Sutures close gum tissue where teeth have been removed during your cat’s surgery. These sutures often dissolve on their own to avoid having another round of anesthesia for suture removal. In some cases, gum tissue is left open to drain and heal.
Some signs that something has gone wrong after tooth extraction surgery include:
- A foul odor coming from your cat’s mouth
- A slight swelling on the lower or upper jawline or under the eye area
- The eye may seem to bulge or protrude from your cat’s head
- Refusal of food
- Drainage from the nose or mouth
- General sluggishness
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth or rubbing their face on the ground
- Dropping food while eating
Antibiotics may have already been sent home with you to prevent infection, but contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.
What can your cat eat after a tooth extraction?
Offer soft foods for several days after your cat’s tooth extraction surgery. These include moist food, semi-moist food, and even kibble that is soaked in water.
Speak with your veterinarian about any special feeding instructions after surgery to help decrease your cat’s discomfort and pain and encourage healing.
Your veterinarian may also recommend changing your cat’s diet to a therapeutic dental or oral care diet. These diets have been formulated and balanced to help control and decrease the incidence of dental disease.
Dental diets are not a replacement for dental examinations, but they can help decrease the risks associated with dental disease.
How can you manage your cat's pain after dental surgery?
Locally injected numbing agents may have been used in your cat’s mouth to control pain during the tooth extraction surgery. Depending on the medication given, those local blocks can last up to 24 hours.
After these blocks wear off, you will likely be instructed to give your cat oral medication to control the pain at home.
Do not stop giving medications unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian.
How long is recovery after cat tooth extraction surgery?
Recovery for cats after tooth extraction surgery usually takes about two weeks. Many vets schedule a follow-up to assess the healing process after about a week. Sometimes, sedation is necessary, but the examination is usually quick and simple.
If your cat is not eating or sleeping after dental surgery, don't fret. This is often a side effect of pain and anesthesia. They should recover fairly quickly and resume regular activities.
What can you do to prevent the need for tooth extractions?
To prevent future cat tooth extractions, your veterinarian may suggest certain products and activities to reduce plaque accumulation. These may include:- Dental treats
- Therapeutic dental diets
- Water additives
- Toothbrushing
- Mouth rinsing
Always speak with your veterinarian about dental products and when they should be started after a dental procedure.
It's important to remember that routine care is always the easiest way to minimize the potential need for more invasive treatments. These visits are a lot like bringing your cat to the dentist. With this care, plaque and tartar buildup can be prevented, and potential issues can be addressed quickly.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.